UK gov't urged to reverse decision on Christmas mixing

LONDON

The British government was urged Tuesday to review its relaxation measures during the Christmas period by the country's medical journals and London Mayor on Tuesday.

In a joint editorial, the British Medical Journal and Health Service Journal warned that the government should reverse its decision to permit household visits during the festive season.

"The new year is likely to see NHS [National Health Service] trusts facing a stark choice: be overwhelmed or stop most elective and non-urgent work," the editorial warned.

"Rather than lifting restrictions over Christmas as currently planned, the UK should follow the more cautious examples of Germany, Italy and the Netherlands."

The editorial came a day after the Independent Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies' advice to the government and public, "for a rethink in the light of surging rates of infection in parts of the United Kingdom."

The group said that the UK's policy to allow "up to three households to meet indoors" on Dec. 23-27 "brought with it the risk of infection transmission."

If a large proportion of the population took advantage of the three household rule then there was a "very real danger of a third wave of the pandemic," the group of experts warned.

Speaking to BBC's Today program, London Mayor Sadiq Khan also expressed concern over the relaxed rules during Christmas.

"We heard from [Health Secretary] Matt Hancock yesterday that it appears the government is looking at this again," he said.

"I would encourage them to do so if they are. The concern is this -- the rules -- have been relaxed for five days, allowing household mixing for up to three different households. And inevitably, when people are in their own households, they tend to be less vigilant."

"My concern is that many people may have the virus and not realize it. They could pass the virus on to older relations," Khan added.

The mayor's remarks came ahead of London's entering Tier 3 restrictions starting midnight.

Tier 3 restrict the opening of pubs and restaurants, gyms, hair salons and the mixing of members of different households indoors.

With the government's advice over the Christmas period is still in place, thousands of Brits are expected to visit their families and spend time with them, mostly indoors, next week.

The death toll from novel coronavirus in the UK stands at 64,402 -- the highest in Europe.